Container for produce storage, packing &amp; transport

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are directed to containers for storage and transportation of items such as produce harvested with its roots intact. The containers include a base and lid hingedly connected together on at least one edge, and may be stacked to maximize density for storage so that a shipping receptacle can hold more produce while taking up the same place, allowing for more efficient transportation saving on transportation costs and storage. In addition to saving costs on transportation and storage, the containers maintain the freshness of the produce harvested with its roots intact by keeping away soil, soil debris and moisture from the remaining portions of the produce. When containers are stacked together, a top surface of the lid of a first container is adapted to receive a plurality of longitudinal concave grooves on the bottom surface of the base of a second container.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present application for patent claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/232,227 entitled “Container For Produce Storage,Packing & Transport”, filed Aug. 7, 2009, and hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of containers, in particular,to stackable or nestable containers for storage and transportation ofitems such as produce harvested with its roots intact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known to use produce containers to store and transport freshand chilled foods, such as lettuce, for selling to consumers. Thecontainers allow the food to be transported with less damage and provideconvenient packaging for consumers who are purchasing the food. However,conventional containers are not securely stackable and do not fitefficiently on or within the shipping receptacle. As a result, moreshipping receptacles are needed to transport the containers whichincreases both transportation and storage costs.

In addition to not being securely stackable and not fitting efficientlyon or within a shipping receptacle, conventional produce containers donot provide for easily packaging and storing produce harvested with itsroots intact. When using conventional containers for storing andtransporting produce harvested with its roots intact, soil, soil debrisand moisture comes in contact with the product reducing the freshness ofthe food packed.

Consequently, containers which alleviate the problems of conventionalcontainers as discussed above are needed. In other words, what is neededare containers that can be stacked to maximize density for storage sothat a shipping receptacle can hold more content while taking up thesame place allowing for more efficient transportation saving ontransportation costs and storage. Furthermore, containers maintain thefreshness of produce harvested with its roots intact by keeping awaysoil, soil debris and moisture from the remaining portions of theproduce is needed.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsin order to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments,and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of allembodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in asimplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented later.

According to one embodiment, a stackable or nestable container forstorage and transportation of items such as produce harvested with itsroots intact is provided. The container may comprise a base having abottom, a pair of lower sidewalls, and a pair of lower end walls; thebottom, the pair of lower sidewalls and the pair of lower end wallsbeing integrally connected, wherein the bottom includes a lower portionpositioned below, and parallel to, an upper portion creating a centeropening in an outer side surface of the bottom; and a lid having a top,a pair of upper sidewalls, and a pair of upper end walls, the bottom,the pair of upper sidewalls and the pair of upper end walls beingintegrally connected, wherein the top has a pair of upwardly slopingsurfaces and a pair of a pair of downwardly sloping surfaces that extendalong a first outer portion of the top parallel to the upper sidewallsand a second outer portion of the top parallel to the upper end walls,and wherein the pair of upwardly sloping surfaces and the pair ofdownwardly sloping surfaces are received within an identical containerbase stacked on top of the lid.

The base may further comprises a wall member integrally formed with, andseparating the lower portion and the upper portion creating a retainingring in an inner side surface of the base. The wall member may includean inner sidewall and an outer sidewall joined together at uppermostedges by a flat planar top portion. The outer sidewall divergesoutwardly from the flat planar top portion to the lower portion of thebottom of the base and the inner sidewall diverges outwardly from theflat planar top portion to the upper portion of the bottom of the base.Additionally, the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall may include aplurality of concave grooves separated by a plurality of radiallyprojecting protrusions. The plurality of concave grooves and theplurality of radially projecting protrusions are integrally connectedtogether in a circular fashion equidistant from an outer circumferenceof a circular protruding surface portion located in the center of theupper portion of the bottom of the base.

The container may further comprise a lower flange integrally connect to,and outwardly projecting from, a perimeter of the pair of lowersidewalls and the pair of lower end walls; and an upper flangeintegrally connect to, and outwardly projecting from, a perimeter of thepair of upper sidewalls and the pair of upper end walls. A female recesslocated within the lower flange and dimensioned to receive a male riblocated within the upper flange for securing the lid to the base.

According another embodiment, a stackable or nestable container forstorage and transportation of items such as produce harvested with itsroots intact is provided. The container may comprise a base having acontinuous body portion and a lower rim encompassing and projectinglaterally outwardly from the continuous body portion. The continuousbody portion may comprise a circular bottom portion comprising an outerportion surrounding a flat center portion, the outer portion comprises aplurality of longitudinal concave grooves having a first end and asecond end, the first end separated by a plurality of protrusionsprojecting inwardly into the base; a front surface portion extendingdownwardly from the lower rim and integrally connected to the bottomportion; and a lower having a continuous sidewall encompassing andprojecting upwardly and outwardly from the bottom portion, thecontinuous sidewall having a back surface portion opposite and parallelto the front surface portion and extending downwardly from the lowerrim; and a lid, hingedly connected to the base.

The lid may comprise a top surface; a pair of upper sidewalls; a pair ofupper end walls integrally connected to the top surface and the uppersidewalls, wherein an edge of the pair of upper sidewalls and the atleast one upper end wall extend outwardly to form an upper rim; and aplurality of longitudinal top depressions located on the top surface ofthe lid projecting outwardly in a circular pattern from an inner portionof the top surface, wherein the plurality of longitudinal topdepressions of a bottom container is adapted to receive the plurality oflongitudinal concave grooves of a top container when the top containeris stacked on top of the bottom container.

The pair of upper sidewalls and the pair of upper end walls of the lidmay be integrally connected via a pair of upper front depressions and apair of upper back depressions and a longitudinal upper centerdepression may be located in each of the pair of upper sidewalls betweenan upper front depression of the pair of upper front depressions and anupper back depression of the pair of upper back depressions. Thelongitudinal upper center depression, located in the each of the pair ofupper sidewalls, diverge inwardly coming to a rounded point atapproximately the top surface of the lid. Furthermore, the continuousbody portion of the base, between the front surface portion and the backsurface portion, may include a plurality of upper base depressionsextending downwardly from the lower rim and spaced equal distancesapart.

The plurality of upper base depressions may have a rounded bottom endand sides that diverge outward up to the lower rim so that when the lidis engaged with the base, the longitudinal upper center depressionlocated in the each of the pair of upper sidewalls, the pair of upperfront depressions and the pair of upper back depressions are inalignment with the plurality of upper base depressions forming ateardrop shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, nature, and advantages of the present aspects may becomemore apparent from the detailed description set forth below when takenin conjunction with the drawings in which like reference charactersidentify correspondingly throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a container of the presentinvention in a closed configuration, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a right side elevational view of the container ofFIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side elevational view of the container of FIG.1 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevational view of the container of FIG. 1in a closed configuration;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear elevational view of the container of FIG. 1 ina closed configuration;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1 in aclosed configuration;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1 in aclosed configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates a first container and a second identical containerbeing stacked together according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of a container of the presentinvention in a closed configuration, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 9 inan open configuration.

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 9in an open configuration.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front elevantional view of the container of FIG. 9in an open configuration.

FIG. 13 illustrates a back elevantional view of the container of FIG. 9in an open configuration, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side elevantional view of the container of FIG. 9in an open configuration, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a first container and a second identical containerbeing stacked together according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a “stacking feature” takenalong line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention, since the scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describecertain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. The term“container” refers to any type of device for holding objects, includinga receptacle, a bin, a box, a carton, a case, and a crate. The term“food” refers to any type of edible substance including all types offruits, vegetables and bakery goods.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a two piece container in aclosed configuration according to an embodiment of the invention. Asshown, the container 100 may include a base 102 and a lid 104; the lid104 may be releasably engaged to the base 104. The base 102 may includea bottom 106, having an inner side surface (i.e. the surface on theinside of the container) and an outer side surface (i.e. the surface onthe outside of the container), as well as two opposing lower sidewalls108 and 110 (See FIGS. 4-5) integrally connected to two opposing lowerend walls 112 and 114. (See FIGS. 2-3) The lower sidewalls, 108 and 110,and lower end walls, 112 and 114, may extend continuously upwardly fromthe bottom 106 to form the base 102. The uppermost edges of the lowersidewalls 108, 110 and the uppermost edges of the lower end walls 112,114 define a perimeter of the base 102 by which a lower flange 116 maybe integrally connected thereto. The lower flange 116 may generallyproject in an outwardly or an approximately perpendicular fashionrelative to the perimeter as defined previously.

The lower flange 116 may include a female recess dimensioned to receivea cooperating male rib in the lid 104 (described in further detailbelow). Furthermore, the lower flange 116 may include a plurality ofpressure vents 120 for releasing internal pressure of the container 100when the lid 104 is secured to the base 104. The plurality of pressurevents 120 may be either attached to, or may be formed integrally with,the lower flange 116.

The bottom of the base 102 may also include a wall member 124 integrallyformed with, and separate the lower portion 122 from the upper portion142 creating a retaining ring 132 within the base 102. (see FIG. 7) Thewall member 124 may include an inner sidewall 125 and an outer sidewall127 joined together at the uppermost edges by a flat planar top portion129. In one embodiment the outer sidewall 127 may diverge outwardly fromthe flat planar top portion 129 to the lower portion 122 while the innersidewall 125 may diverge outwardly from the flat planar top portion 129to the upper portion 142. Located within the inner sidewall 125 and theouter sidewall 127 are a plurality of concave grooves 126 separated by aplurality of radially projecting protrusions 128. The plurality ofconcave grooves 126 and the plurality of radially projecting protrusions128 are integrally connected together in a circular fashion equidistantfrom an outer circumference 130 of a circular protruding surface portion134 located in the center of the upper portion 122.

The upper portion 142 of the bottom 106 of the base 102 may include afirst plurality of stiffening ribs 138 projecting radially outward fromthe circumference 130 of the circular protruding surface portion 134 tothe base of the inner sidewall 125 of the wall member 124. The firstplurality of stiffening ribs 138 (See FIG. 7) may be formed integrallywith the upper portion 142.

The lower portion 122 of the bottom 106 of the base 102, may include asecond plurality of stiffening ribs 144 (See FIG. 7) projecting radiallyoutward from the base of the outer sidewall 127 of the wall member 124to the edge of the lower surface. In one embodiment, second plurality ofstiffening ribs 144 may comprise a convex shape providing for channelson the outer side surface of the bottom of the base 102. As a result,when identical containers are stacked on top of each other, the channelsallow air to flow through and ventilate completely throughout thestacked containers. The second plurality of stiffening ribs 144 may beformed integrally with the bottom 106 of the base 102.

In one embodiment, the two lower opposing sidewalls 108 and 110 may beformed of a flat, planar surface, while the two opposing lower end walls110 and 112 may be a rounded or convex surface such that the four wallscomprise a squircle. Additionally, the two opposing lower end walls 110and 112 may include of a plurality longitudinal convex grooves toincrease the rigidity of the lid 104 as well as allowing a consumer toeasily grasp the lid 104.

The lid 104 may include a top 147 and two opposing upper sidewalls 148and 150 integrally connected to two opposing upper end walls 152 and154. The upper sidewalls, 148 and 150, and upper end walls, 152 and 154,extend continuously downwardly from the top 147 to form the lid 104. Thelowermost edges of the upper sidewalls 148 and 150 and the upper endwalls 152 and 154 define a perimeter of the lid 104 by which an upperflange 157 may be integrally connected thereto. Additionally, the upperend walls 152 and 154 may define a ribbing structure 156 to enhance thetop load compression strength allowing for more containers to be stackedon top of each other. The perimeter of the lid 104 may include a malerib which may be received by the female recess of the base 102 when thelid 104 is placed onto the base 102 when closing the container 100. Whenengaged, the female recess and the male rib snap together, i.e. mate orengage, securely holding the lid 104 and base 102 of the container 100together, providing rigidity to the container 100. The male rib mayinclude a plurality of notches to add strength and stiffness to the malerib and when the lid 104 is engaged with the base 102.

In one embodiment, the two opposing upper sidewalls 148 and 150 may beformed of a flat, planar surface, while the two opposing upper end walls152 and 154 may be formed of a rounded or convex surface such that thefour walls comprise a squircle.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate top and bottom plan views, respectively, of thecontainer of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration. FIG. 8 illustrates afirst container and a second identical container being stacked togetheraccording to an embodiment of the invention. The following discussionrefers to FIGS. 6-8.

To facilitate stacking of multiple containers, the top 147 of the lid104 may include a pair of upwardly sloping surfaces 160, 162 and a pairof a pair of downwardly sloping surfaces 164, 166 that extend along afirst outer portion of the top 147, parallel to the upper sidewalls 148,150 outer portion of the top 147 parallel to the upper end walls 152 and154, respectively. Labels identifying the contents of the container maybe placed on the pair of upwardly sloping surfaces 160 and 162 and/orthe pair of a pair of downwardly sloping surfaces 164, 166.

The pair of upwardly sloping surfaces 160, 162 and the pair ofdownwardly sloping surfaces 164, 166 are designed to fit within theretaining ring 132, created by the outer sidewall 127 of the wall member124 and the upper portion (described above), on the base of an identicalcontainer stacked on top. As the top of a first container 180 isdesigned to fit, and be received within a retaining ring in the outerside surface of the base of a second container 182, stacking ofidentical containers may limit the extent that the second (or upper)container can shift from sidewall to sidewall relative to the first (orlower) container 180. (See FIG. 8) In other words, it will serve toinhibit shifting of the upper container from sidewall to sidewallrelative to the lower container. Furthermore, as the labels are affixedto the pair of upwardly sloping surfaces 160 and 162 and/or the pair ofdownwardly sloping surfaces 164 and 166 which are enclosed within the rretaining ring when stacked, the labels are protected from being tornoff during transport.

Furthermore, as a result of the pair of upwardly sloping surfaces 160and 162 and the pair of downwardly sloping surfaces 164 and 166 beingreceived within the retaining ring 132, multiple containers may besecurely and more compactly stored on top of each other. Consequently,more identical containers may be stacked in a smaller area allowing formore efficient transportation as fewer shipping receptacles are neededresulting in a savings in both transportation and storage costs.

In order to open the container 100, i.e. remove the lid 104 from thebase 102, tab portions 170 formed at a corner of the upper flange 157 ofthe lid 104 and at a corner of the lower flange 116 of the base 102 maybe pulled apart. Corresponding bumps 172 (also referred to asprotrusions or indentations) may be provided in the tab portions 170 ofboth the lid 104 and the base 102 for allowing a consumer to easily andsecurely grip the tab portions 170 and pull them apart. The tab portions170 may be slightly offset from each other to allow easier opening ofthe container 100. Alternatively, the tab portions 170 may be positionedto overlap each other once the lid 104 is placed onto and secured to thebase 102. To open the container 100, the consumer may simply pull thetab portions 170 apart with sufficient force to separate the lid 104 andthe base 102.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of a container of the presentinvention in a closed configuration, according to one embodiment. FIG.10 illustrates a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 9 in anopen configuration. FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of thecontainer FIG. 9 in an open configuration. The following discussionrefers interchangeably to FIGS. 9-11.

As shown, the container 200 includes a base 202 connected to a lid 204via a hinge 206. The base 202 includes a continuous body portion 208 anda continuous lower rim 210 encompassing and projecting laterally outwardfrom the body portion 208. The continuous body portion 208 may include agenerally circular bottom portion 212, a generally planar front surfaceportion 214 extending downwardly from the lower rim 210 and integrallyconnected to the circular bottom portion 212; however, other suitableshapes are within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, thecontinuous body portion 208 may include a continuous sidewall 216encompassing and projecting upwardly and outwardly from the circularbottom portion 212. In one embodiment, the continuous sidewall 216 mayinclude a generally planar back surface portion 218; opposite andparallel to the planar front surface portion 214, extending downwardlyfrom the lower rim 210, at least partially down the continuous sidewall216.

To facilitate stacking of multiple containers, the bottom portion 212 ofthe base 202 may be designed to fit, and be received within a topsurface of an identical second container (See FIG. 8) which may limitthe extent that the first (or upper) container can shift relative to thesecond (or lower) container. The generally circular bottom portion 212may include an outer portion 220 surrounding a generally flat centerportion 222. The outer portion 220 may include a plurality oflongitudinal concave grooves 224 separated by a plurality of protrusions226 projecting inwardly into the base 202 of the container 200.According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of longitudinalconcave grooves 224 has a first end 224 a and a second end 224 b, wherethe first end 224 a is located at an outer edge of the flat centerportion 222 and each concave groove 224 projects laterally outward andat least partially up the continuous sidewall 216 terminating at thesecond end 224 b. In one embodiment, the concave grooves 224 may be ofdifferent lengths. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the concave grooveslocated in the front of the base 202 may extend up only to the flatplanar front surface portion 214 while the concave grooves located onthe side and back of the base 202 may extend farther up the continuoussidewall 216.

A plurality of lower depressions 228 may be located between each of theplurality of concave grooves 224 and extend from approximately slightlyabove the circular bottom portion 212 to slightly below or level (oreven) with the second end 224 b of the concave grooves 224. Each lowerdepression in the plurality of lower depressions 228 may have agenerally rectangular shape; however, other suitable shapes are withinthe scope of the invention. In one embodiment, an elongated frontdepression 230 may extend below and along the length of the flat planarfront surface portion 214.

According to one embodiment, the continuous body portion 208, betweenthe flat planar front surface portion 212 and the planar back surfaceportion 216, may include a plurality of upper base depressions 232extending downwardly from the lower rim 210 and spaced equal distancesapart. The plurality of upper base depressions 232 may have a roundedbottom end and sides that diverge slightly outward up to the lower rim210.

The lid 204 may include a top surface 234 and two opposing uppersidewalls 236, 238 integrally connected to two opposing upper end walls240, 242. The upper sidewalls 236, 238 and upper end walls 240, 242,extend continuously downwardly from the top surface 234 to form the lid204. The lowermost edges of the upper sidewalls 236 and 238 and theupper end walls 240, 242 define a perimeter of the lid 204 by which anupper rim 244 may be integrally connected thereto. The upper rim 244 mayencompass and project laterally outwardly from the perimeter of the lid204. According to one embodiment, the upper rim 244 may include a wallmember 246 extending perpendicularly from the upper rim 244 and may beadapted to receive the lower rim 210 of the base 202 when the container200 is in a closed configuration. When engaged, the lower rim 210 andthe upper rim 244 snap together, i.e. mate or engage, securely holdingthe lid 204 and base 202 of the container 200 together, providingrigidity to the container 200. In one embodiment, the lower rim 210 mayinclude tabs 211 for assisting an individual in separating the lid 204from the base 102 when the container 200 is in a closed configuration.

In one embodiment, each of the two opposing upper end walls 240, 242 mayinclude a generally flat, planar center portion 248, 250, respectively,located between a pair of longitudinal upper front depressions 252 and apair of longitudinal upper back depressions 254, respectively, while thetwo opposing upper sidewalls 236, 238 may be formed of a generallyrounded or convex surface such that the four walls comprise a superellipse. The pair of longitudinal upper front depressions 252 and thepair of longitudinal upper back depressions 254 extend upwardly from theupper rim 244 to approximately the top surface 234 to enhance the topload compression strength allowing for more containers to be stacked ontop of each other.

A pair of locking mechanisms 256, 258 to secure the lid 204 to the base202 may be located in the upper rim 244, within the pair of longitudinalupper front depressions 252 located in the upper end wall 240. In thisrespect, locking mechanisms 256, 258 facilitate easy closure bypackagers and prevent consumers from prematurely or easily opening thecontainer 200 prior to sale. Additionally, locking mechanisms 256, 258prevent the lid 204 from separating from the base 202 duringtransportation thereby spilling and/or damaging its contents. The pairof locking mechanisms 256, 258 may include extending latching portions256 a, 258 a which may be received by circular openings 256 b, 258 b.When engaged, the extending latching portions 256 a, 258 a and circularopenings 256 b and 258 b snap together thereby securely holding the lid204 and base 202 of the container 200 together. Although two lockingmechanisms 256, 258 are shown, the container 200 may have only onelocking mechanism or may have more than two locking mechanisms.

According to one embodiment, the pair of longitudinal upper frontdepressions 252 may accommodate an individual's thumbs or other fingerin preparation for securing the locking mechanisms 256, 258(collectively 256 a, 256 b and 258 a, 258 b) by applying pressure to theextending latching portions 256 a, 258 a thereby engaging with circularopenings 256 b, 258 b. Such action may alternatively be performed byautomated closing equipment in a manufacturing environment.

According to one embodiment, a longitudinal upper center depression 260may be located in each side wall 224, 224 so that when the lid 204 issecured to the base 202, the longitudinal upper center depressions 260,the pair of longitudinal upper front depressions 252 and the pair oflongitudinal upper back depressions 254 may be in direct alignment withthe plurality of upper base depressions 232 forming a substantiallyteardrop shape such that the sides of the depressions 252, 254 divergeinwardly coming to a rounded point at approximately the top surface 234of the lid 204 and the plurality of upper base depressions 232 divergeoutwardly coming to a rounded point in an upper portion of thecontinuous wall 208 of the base 202. However, in alternativeembodiments, depressions 232, 252, 254 may have different shapes, suchas oval, rectangular, or other polygons.

A plurality of longitudinal top depressions 262 may be located on thetop surface 234 of the lid 204 and extend from an inner portion of thetop surface 234 and project outwardly to the edges of the top surface234 in a circular pattern. According to one embodiment, one or more ofthe longitudinal top depressions 262 may extend at least partially downthe upper side walls 236, 238 such that the one or more longitudinal topdepressions 262 may be located between the longitudinal upper centerdepression 260 and the longitudinal upper front and back depressions252, 254. As described below, the plurality of longitudinal topdepressions 262 of the lid 204 are adapted to receive the plurality oflongitudinal concave grooves 224 of the base 202 when stackingcontainers.

FIG. 15 illustrates a first container 302 and an identical secondcontainer 304 being stacked together according to an embodiment of theinvention. To facilitate stacking of multiple containers, the topsurface of the lid may include a plurality of longitudinal topdepressions 306 adapted to receive a plurality of longitudinal concavegrooves 308 on the bottom surface of the base. As the plurality oflongitudinal top depressions 306 on top surface of the first container302 is designed to fit, and be received within the plurality oflongitudinal concave grooves 308 on the bottom surface of the base ofthe second container 304, stacking of identical containers may limit theextent that the second (or upper) container can shift from sidewall tosidewall relative to the first (or lower) container. In other words, itwill serve to inhibit shifting of the upper container from sidewall tosidewall relative to the lower container.

Furthermore, as a result of the plurality of longitudinal concavegrooves 308 being received within the longitudinal top depressions 306,multiple containers may be securely and more compactly stored on top ofeach other. Consequently, more identical containers may be stacked in asmaller area allowing for more efficient transportation as fewershipping receptacles are needed resulting in a savings in bothtransportation and storage costs.

According to various embodiments, the containers described above,including their various components may be constructed of materials suchas polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrenes, polypropylenes, orany other suitable material known in the art. In a preferred embodiment,the containers may contain recycled PET or other plastic. This featuremakes the containers recyclable.

The unique design of the containers of the present invention provide forcontainers that store the same amount of product or produce (such aslettuce) as conventional container, but with less container. That is,the containers of the present invention utilize less space and lessmaterial to make, but provide storage for the same amount of produceresulting in cost savings and environmental savings.

One advantage of the design of the container of the present invention isthat the container may easily package and store produce harvested withits roots intact. Produce which is harvested and packaged with its rootsintact has the ability to retain freshness and flavor for longer thanconventionally harvested vegetables as the packaging may promote amicro-environment which may extend the life of the produce.

According to the first embodiment, when the produce is placed in thebase 102 of the container 100, the roots may be placed and containedwithin the retaining ring. By placing the roots in the retaining ring132, soil, soil debris and moisture may be kept within the retainingring away from the remaining portions of the produce so that thefreshness of the food packed and transported within the container ismaintained. Once the produce is placed inside, the lid 104 may besecured to the base 102 creating the micro-environment.

According to the second embodiment, the generally circular bottomportion 212 (i.e. form fitting bottom) of the base 202 eliminates unusedspace around the roots when the produce is placed in the base 202. Theplurality of protrusions 226 in the generally circular bottom portion212 allow the produce to be separated from the roots keeping soil, soildebris and moisture away so that the freshness of the food packed andtransported within the container 200 is maintained.

One or more of the components and functions illustrated in the previousfigures may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component orembodied in several components without departing from the invention.Additional elements or components may also be added without departingfrom the invention.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention is not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

1. A container, comprising: a base having a continuous body portion anda lower rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from thecontinuous body portion, the continuous body portion comprising: abottom portion; a front surface portion extending downwardly from thelower rim and integrally connected to the bottom portion; a lower bodyportion having a continuous sidewall encompassing and projectingupwardly and outwardly from the bottom portion, the continuous sidewallhaving a back surface portion opposite and parallel to the front surfaceportion and extending downwardly from the lower rim; and a lid, hingedlyconnected to the base, having a top surface, a pair of upper sidewalls,and a pair of upper end walls; the top surface, the upper sidewalls andthe upper end walls integrally connected; and wherein an edge of thepair of upper sidewalls and the at least one upper end wall extendoutwardly to form an upper rim.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein thebottom portion is circular and comprises an outer portion surrounding aflat center portion.
 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the outerportion comprises a plurality of longitudinal concave grooves having afirst end and a second end, the first end separated by a plurality ofprotrusions projecting inwardly into the base.
 4. The container of claim3, wherein the lid further comprises a plurality of longitudinal topdepressions located on the top surface of the lid projecting outwardlyin a circular pattern from an inner portion of the top surface.
 5. Thecontainer of claim 4, wherein the plurality of longitudinal topdepressions of a bottom container is adapted to receive the plurality oflongitudinal concave grooves of a top container when the top containeris stacked on top of the bottom container.
 6. The container of claim 3,wherein the plurality of longitudinal concave grooves and the pluralityof protrusions are integrally connected together in a circular fashion.7. The container of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality oflongitudinal concave grooves is formed at an outer edge of the centerportion and project laterally outward at least partially up thecontinuous sidewall.
 8. The container of claim 3, wherein the second endof the plurality of longitudinal concave grooves are separated by aplurality of lower depressions.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein thepair of upper sidewalls and the pair of upper end walls are integrallyconnected via a pair of upper front depressions and a pair of upper backdepressions.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein a longitudinal uppercenter depression is located in each of the pair of upper sidewallsbetween an upper front depression of the pair of upper front depressionsand an upper back depression of the pair of upper back depressions. 11.The container of claim 10, wherein the longitudinal upper centerdepression located in the each of the pair of upper sidewalls divergesinwardly coming to a rounded point at approximately the top surface ofthe lid.
 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the continuous bodyportion of the base, between the front surface portion and the backsurface portion, includes a plurality of upper base depressionsextending downwardly from the lower rim and spaced equal distancesapart.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the plurality of upperbase depressions have a rounded bottom end and sides that divergeoutward up to the lower rim; and wherein when the lid is engaged withthe base, the longitudinal upper center depression located in the eachof the pair of upper sidewalls, the pair of upper front depressions andthe pair of upper back depressions are in alignment with the pluralityof upper base depressions forming a teardrop shape.
 14. The container ofclaim 1 wherein a material comprising the container is one ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene or polypropylenes.
 15. Acontainer, comprising: a base having a continuous body portion and alower rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from thecontinuous body portion, the continuous body portion comprising: acircular bottom portion comprising an outer portion surrounding a flatcenter portion, the outer portion comprises a plurality of longitudinalconcave grooves having a first end and a second end, the first endseparated by a plurality of protrusions projecting inwardly into thebase; a front surface portion extending downwardly from the lower rimand integrally connected to the bottom portion; and a lower having acontinuous sidewall encompassing and projecting upwardly and outwardlyfrom the bottom portion, the continuous sidewall having a back surfaceportion opposite and parallel to the front surface portion and extendingdownwardly from the lower rim; and a lid, hingedly connected to thebase, the lid comprising: a top surface; a pair of upper sidewalls; apair of upper end walls integrally connected to the top surface and theupper sidewalls, wherein an edge of the pair of upper sidewalls and theat least one upper end wall extend outwardly to form an upper rim; and aplurality of longitudinal top depressions located on the top surface ofthe lid projecting outwardly in a circular pattern from an inner portionof the top surface, wherein the plurality of longitudinal topdepressions of a bottom container is adapted to receive the plurality oflongitudinal concave grooves of a top container when the top containeris stacked on top of the bottom container.
 16. The container of claim15, wherein the pair of upper sidewalls and the pair of upper end wallsare integrally connected via a pair of upper front depressions and apair of upper back depressions.
 17. The container of claim 16, wherein alongitudinal upper center depression is located in each of the pair ofupper sidewalls between an upper front depression of the pair of upperfront depressions and an upper back depression of the pair of upper backdepressions.
 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the longitudinalupper center depression located in the each of the pair of uppersidewalls diverge inwardly coming to a rounded point at approximatelythe top surface of the lid.
 19. The container of claim 18, wherein thecontinuous body portion of the base, between the front surface portionand the back surface portion, includes a plurality of upper basedepressions extending downwardly from the lower rim and spaced equaldistances apart.
 20. The container of claim 19, wherein the plurality ofupper base depressions have a rounded bottom end and sides that divergeoutward up to the lower rim; and wherein when the lid is engaged withthe base, the longitudinal upper center depression located in the eachof the pair of upper sidewalls, the pair of upper front depressions andthe pair of upper back depressions are in alignment with the pluralityof upper base depressions forming a teardrop shape.